Nineteen ranked teams are in action Saturday – including four ranked versus ranked matchups – in what is shaping up to be a formidable series of matches spread out early in the afternoon and continuing well into the evening. Buckle up and prepare for the ride accordingly.
There’s no shortage of storylines to follow for the day and the intrigue begins as soon as #17 Arkansas and John Calipari take their talents to Dallas to take on #16 Texas Tech at noon ET. Arkansas fell to the Red Raiders in an OT thriller in the Sweet 16 of the last NCAA tournament, 85-83, and so a rematch between the two reloaded programs brings drama and implications for the following NCAA tournament too.
Opportunities for redemption also await Kentucky, which faces Indiana in its first significant game since falling 94-59 to Gonzaga last week, and Gonzaga, which plays at UCLA after losing to the Bruins in non-conference play last season. Many eyes will be on these matches between traditional powers.
Our team’s picks for these big matches and more can be found below, directly against the spread. Odds via DraftKings Sports Betting | All times ET
Indiana to Kentucky
7:30 p.m. on ESPN: I wrote this week about Kentucky’s slow start. indicating likely worse days ahead for a myriad of reasons. I believe it is true. Whether that means a home defeat as favorite remains to be seen, but I think taking the points over the narrow road dog would be my choice. Pick: Indiana +5.5 – Boone
No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 12 Alabama
9:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): KenPom has this line at Arizona -1, and BartTorvik.com has it set at less than half a point in favor of Arizona. With this game being in Birmingham, I think Alabama comes out and stays close throughout – but not close enough, ultimately, to cover the line. This Arizona team has the assets to keep Alabama from asserting itself and the experience to come into their own in a prime-time game. Pick: Arizona -1.5 – Boone
No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 25 UCLA
11:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): Gonzaga has dispatched every non-Michigan team in its path this season and has the third-highest scoring margin in the sport despite playing one of the toughest non-conference slates. I draw the line here with my pick and take the best team to win by a larger margin than the oddsmakers project. Looks like this could be an 85-70 Gonzaga type win in Seattle. Pick: Gonzaga -9.5 – Boone
No. 16 Texas Tech vs. No. 17 Arkansas
12 p.m. on ESPN2, fuboTV (try for free): Texas Tech is 21-5 in games played in the Lone Star State over the past two seasons under Grant McCasland – with those wins coming at then-No. 1. 6Houston. The Red Raiders are well positioned to keep that momentum going in Dallas with Arkansas on display. He’s found his rhythm playing with guard Christian Anderson and star JT Toppin, and the duo presents a tough matchup, even for the athletic Razorbacks. Pick: Texas Tech -1.5 – Boone
Marquette at No. 6 Purdue
2 p.m. on Peacock: This 5-5 Marquette team has had a tough time coming out and is coming off a 20-point road loss to Wisconsin last Saturday. But Purdue hasn’t been infallible at home; it’s 2-4 ATS as a favorite at Mackey Arena this season. Against Marquette, 18.5 seems high – but that could be a sneaky spot for the Golden Eagles to cover such a huge line. Pick: Marquette +18.5 – Boone
Who will win and cover every college basketball game? Visit SportsLine for picks from the model that simulates every play 10,000 times and costs more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated picks over the past six years.
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